Chapter 4

Jim finally spoke, "Lucy, that's enough."

Jim's tone sounded like he was trying to stop an argument, but his eyes never left Lucy's face.

I clenched my fists, and my nails dug deep into my palms.

For the next week, Jim left home early in the morning and came home late at night.

I never asked where he went. We lived under the same roof, yet we might as well have been strangers.

Today was the day of my prenatal checkup.

I texted him, but he didn't reply. I called him, but he didn't answer either.

In the end, I had no choice but to take a cab to the hospital alone.

The waiting room was packed with couples. Husbands carefully supported their wives while speaking softly as they comforted them.

I sat alone in a corner with my medical records in my hands. As if sensing my emotions, the baby gave me a gentle kick.

"Number 28, Christine."

When I heard the nurse call my name, I struggled to my feet and slowly made my way into the examination room. I pressed one hand against the wall for support.

After the examination, I walked out with my report in hand. I suddenly spotted a familiar figure at the end of the hallway.

Jim was supporting Lucy. His movements were so gentle that it was as if he were holding something fragile.

She was in a hospital gown. Her face was pale, yet she was still breathtakingly beautiful.

I stood there and watched them lean against each other like newlyweds deeply in love.

Jim lowered his head and whispered something into her ear. She nodded gently and smiled.

"Jim!"

Leah suddenly came running from behind them with a bag of medicine in her hand.

"I got Lucy's medicine."

When she saw me, she froze for a moment before sneering. "Oh, look. Christine is here too. Are you all by yourself?"

Only then did Jim notice me. His expression changed.

"Christine–"

He started to walk toward me, but Leah grabbed his arm. "Jim, are you really going to leave Lucy alone? She got hurt trying to save you."

Lucy leaned weakly against the wall. Her voice was soft. "Jim, go ahead. I'm fine. Your wife needs you more right now."

Her tone was gracious and considerate, but there was a clear challenge in her eyes. Leah grew anxious.

"Lucy, don't pretend you're fine! You nearly risked your life for my brother. Can he even call himself a man if he walks away from you now?"

I simply stood there and watched their pathetic performance. I felt nothing.

Maybe once upon a time, Jim's betrayal would have broken my heart.

But after he had pushed me away again and again, all the resentment and hatred inside me had already been worn away.

I didn't say a word, and I didn't make a scene. I simply turned around and walked away.

I knew that from this moment on, I would never feel sad over this man again.

...

That evening, I finished taking a shower and walked out with a towel still draped over my damp hair.

I then saw my mother-in-law, Leah, and Lucy all sitting on the sofa in my living room.

There were several cups of coffee on the coffee table. The atmosphere was so warm and harmonious that they looked like the real owners of the house.

Lucy leaned against the armrest. Her face was pale, but she couldn't conceal the smugness in her eyes.

The moment my mother-in-law saw me, she spoke. "Christine, Lucy is injured. She'll be staying here for a while so Jim can take care of her."

Her tone left no room for discussion. She wasn't asking me. She was informing me.

Leah crossed her legs and casually popped a grape into her mouth. "Lucy got hurt trying to save Jim. You wouldn't be that petty, would you, Christine?"

I dried my hair with a towel. I then glanced over them before finally looking at Jim.

He stood off to the side with his brows slightly furrowed. It looked like he was caught in an awkward position, but he didn't object.

"Whatever," I said indifferently before returning to the bedroom.

After closing the door, I sat down at my desk and switched on my laptop.

A new email was waiting in my inbox. I read the title.

[Meridian College of Technology PhD Admissions.]

I clicked on it and stared at the word 'congratulations' for a long time. I slowly began to smile.